My Commons Life

News & features about the Vanderbilt Commons from the students who live here

Features

Meet Noodles: You’ll Want To Get Acquainted

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There is perhaps no food more universally enjoyed than noodles. There is also perhaps no better place to get them than at Meet Noodles, located at 2121 Belcourt Avenue. It’s in the name! This restaurant has all the charm of a local eatery combined with the deliciousness of your new favorite restaurant. Whether you’re looking for a quaint location to have a calm dinner with a close friend, a quiet restaurant for a meal with your friend group, or if you’re just looking for some really good food, Meet Noodles is the place to go. 

Quick side note: in order for this review to go as well as possible, I made sure to come with a few friends (pictured below), which I highly recommend. 

photo credit: Albert Wu/Trevor Hyun

Pictured (left to right): Albert Wu, Elizabeth Li, Myself, Trevor Hyun, and Ned Henneman.  

Meet Noodles’ exterior made me slightly dubious as to what I might expect upon entering, but the second I stepped inside I felt like I had just been welcomed into someone’s own home. I could smell fresh orders coming crisp from the kitchen. The warm ambiance created from that homely vibe invited me right inside. The hostess greeted us kindly and we were soon seated in a cozy and comfy corner booth. After perusing the menu I decided on the tomato sirloin noodles, as well as the milk tea – original flavor with boba. Soon after placing the orders the first piece of deliciousness to arrive at the table was the boba. 

I don’t consider myself to be a boba connoisseur by any means, but this is now certainly near the top of the list. As for the milk tea itself, it had an even, thin consistency paired with a smooth texture that was only interrupted by the occasional boba ball having the good fortune of getting tractor-beamed up my straw. 

The second and final item to arrive soon after was the main course: the tomato sirloin noodles. 

I relished in its presentation for a long second before digging in. The first aspect that I noticed about this dish was the slight edge it had. There was just enough of a minute tang at the end of each bite to keep me invested in the next. The noodles themselves were located in the perfect balance between being neither too firm nor too soft, while the scallions in combination with the tomatoes produced an alluring landscape – a backdrop of sorts – to the noodles. And of course the broth. The base element of it all flawlessly complemented each feature described above with its salty essence, creating a flavorful symphony of delight.

However, the feature that completely stole the show was the chunks of beef sirloin peeking out from behind the large pieces of bok choy. Each piece was tender and flavorful, with just enough resistance to make each bite satisfyingly delicious. 

When I had finished, only one question remained: How soon can I come back? Meet Noodles provided a wonderful atmosphere, great service, and obviously amazing food. In addition, they also take meal money! In my book those qualities make for an ideal combo. If you want to get acquainted with some (really really good) noodles, this is the place for you! This place will leave you wanting to meet even more the next time you go back. 

MCL Top 5: Pieces of Advice for Concerts

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Nashville is named “Music City” not only for its fame of country music, but also for its many amazing concerts that are held here each year. Most recently, Arctic Monkeys, Lana Del Ray, SZA, Zach Bryan, and many more performed in the city or in its outskirts. After attending the Arctic Monkeys and Lana Del Ray concert, I have found a few tips on how to go about attending concerts as a college student. 

5. Bring a portable charger.

Bringing a portable charger to a concert is a life-saving idea. Although I sadly forgot mine, I was able to use my friends! The chances of your phone being completely charged before the concert, especially if you went on an impulse, are not very high. Bring a portable charger to ensure that you can still take pictures and order your Uber at the end of the night!

4. Find a decent sized group to go with.

Going to a concert with a group will benefit you financially and also socially. It will lessen the amount of the uber, since you are all able to split the price. And, it will allow you to have a ton of fun. (Also remember, the more people, the more pictures) 🙂

3. Go to concerts with new friends!

I came with a new friend to both of the concerts I attended! Going to concerts with a new friend, or a new friend group, is a very great experience, as it allows you to meet someone new at the same time as seeing one of your favorite artists. I highly recommend finding a new friend to attend a concert with, as this was one of the highlights of my concert experiences!

2. Check multiple different websites for tickets.

When looking at concert tickets, do not only subject yourself to Ticketmaster. Not only are their prices higher, but their website also has many glitches, especially if tickets are high demand. Don’t be afraid to look at websites like SeatGeek, StubHub, and Vividseats to find cheaper tickets! I have used these websites to securely purchase tickets, and I would recommend you to do the same.

1. Buy your tickets last minute

I know the thought of impulse decisions can be a little scary, but trust me, going to concerts on an impulse made the experience much better. I purchased tickets for both concerts at the very last minute – one 5 hours prior and the other 1 hour prior. Not only did this make the concert much more exciting, but I also found amazing deals! Typically (but not always), concert tickets decrease the closer you get to the concert. For instance, the tickets I purchased for Lana Del Ray were only $26 dollars, while others paid much more when they purchased their tickets in advance. Although it is smart to purchase tickets in advance to ensure your spot, waiting until the last minute can also be exciting and offer cheaper prices!!

And these are your Top 5 Pieces of Advice for Concerts!!! I hope these were helpful and that you are able to attend a concert this school year!

What’s In My Backpack: An Unsettling Adventure

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Every day there is a powerful tool used by students and faculty alike. Dick Kelty’s 1952 invention is worn by virtually every person you can come across during any given weekday. The immortal contraption whose name is known far and wide to the far-flung reaches of the globe as “the backpack” has proved to be a crucial component to one’s educational experience for much of the past seven decades. 

As part of my never-ending quest to share the most unnecessary details of my life, this article will be all about what’s in my backpack. My reason for writing about this completely superfluous topic is because I thought it would be so lovely to share what has so far made my college experience what it’s been at its core. I figured that sharing the material objects that I keep closest to me would be incredibly fulfilling.  Just kidding. I needed a reason to clean it out, a deadline to clean it out by, and these articles are due every Tuesday at noon. I thought I might as well make a written, public inventory for the world to (hopefully not) see. Let’s get into it, shall we?

I don’t know about yours, but my backpack is a magical place. I’m not even sure what’s really in it at this point. I just put stuff in there and if it’s lucky, it comes out a week later. It’s basically a black hole with a zipper; a 20-pound scientific anomaly if you will. It was because of this that I approached my horrifically mundane challenge with apprehension. I didn’t know what new, strange realm I had unknowingly allowed my backpack to become. Before diving deep into its depths, I thought of the peculiarities that might await me inside. A week-old apple perhaps? A portal to Narnia? A dominant seventh chord(with corresponding hand gestures)? There was only one way to find out. 
Upon sitting down and opening wide its maw I stared into the dark abyss that awaited me, pausing briefly before diving in. I reached inside, and the first object to reluctantly surface was…a textbook. Rhythmic Training by Robert Starer, to be exact. I expected worse. I set it to the side. Next to come out of the black hole was my Mickey Mouse hand sanitizer. We stared at each other for a second before mutually agreeing that we probably wouldn’t see each other for another month. I set him to the side as well. Third out was my Accelerated Keyboard Harmony textbook, Group Piano: Proficiency in Theory and Performance (shoutout Ned, Elizabeth, Trevor, and Natasha). This was probably the heaviest thing in my bag, and definitely the most F-u-N. Next out was a nail clipper, then a pencil, a sharpener for that pencil, a sharpie, my phone charger, The One Ring to Rule Them All, my AirPods, and my laptop. The last items to emerge were, strangely enough, the things that I probably use the most. As a Blair kid about half of the stuff that I keep in my backpack is music, and currently maintaining residence are the likes of Chopin, Debussy, and Prokofiev. Most of the time they’re fun to walk to class with, trust me. 

After finally pulling everything out I turned and stared at my small mountain of music, technology, and other paraphernalia. I was mainly really confused as to how all of it even fit. Magic? Answer unclear, ask again later. The main takeaway from this adventure was that I should probably clean out my backpack more often. Oh, and I unfortunately didn’t end up finding that portal to Narnia. Only The Lion, The Witch and The Textbook.

MCL Quiz: Rizz or A.I.?

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We live in a modern world. Shocking, I know. In today’s everyday life, we can literally push a button on a phone and put a digitally produced dog head on someone else’s (almost) actual head. To quote Louis Armstrong: “What a wonderful world”. One of the biggest revelations in our society recently has been the meteoric emergence of artificial intelligence, which can be used for chatbots, facial recognition, physical and digital security, and most importantly: solve homework. Of these handy features that AI boasts, one of its more unique uses has been its ability to generate pickup lines. This of course got the gears in my mind turning, and a burning question came to me. Does AI have discernable rizz from a human? There was only one way to find the answer, and I knew just the place to do it: The Blair School of Music, filled to the brim not only with pianos and practice rooms, but with game as well. 

My process was a fairly simple one. No three-hour lab here. All I needed were some pickup lines from Blair students, some pickup lines from ChatGPT, and people to answer the questions. This is the part where you all come in. Take this quiz to see how well you can spot the differences between human and AI pickup lines.

Student’s Guide to: Nashville Farmer’s Market

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    Nashville is known for its rich music scene and thriving food culture. Would this be the perfect introduction to the city’s culinary scene? Maria Balhara, Erin Davis, and Sofia El-Shammaa investigate.

    Setting the scene

    Noticing a Jeni’s Ice Cream, we were off to a good start. Known for their unique flavors, they are a Nashville classic.

    Next, we visited the A&M Marketplace and explored all their healthy protein bars, spices, fruit, and hot sauce options. Sophia found a huge jar of Za’atar spice for only $8!

    If you still need decorations for your dorm, we get it. Heart of Nashville has lots of photos that are great for adding a splash of color to your walls.

    Market Offerings

    In the market located behind the farmer’s market building, there’s:

    • Produce
    • Fresh bread
    • Handmade towels
    • Nashville merch
    • Hand creams
    • Fresh meat – if you’re into that
    • And more spices

    I was particularly excited about the small pumpkins. I mean, who doesn’t like small pumpkins?

    If you’re one of the people that say dining hall food is too bland – buy some spices! They have versions with and without salt.

    The other offerings, like towels, plants, and hand cream could be great, depending on what you need for your dorm.

    And on a similar note- If you have to wash your hands in the boiling hot water at Buttrick Hall, please, I beg you, use some hand cream. Lynchburg Soap Company sells one made with goat milk.

    Food and flavors

    You are probably going to get hungry while shopping. Head inside to eat some tasty food.

    We got a chicken plate with hummus and tzatziki from Chicago-Style Gyros and later in the day, a veggie crepe from Music City Crepes. Both were fantastic.

    They also have options such as Bubble Love for boba tea and Succulent Vegan Tacos if you want a plant-based option.

    Final Thoughts

    The wide range of food and products sold at the market, combined with the live music, won us over. I’ll be munching on the loaf of whole wheat bread and tomatoes I bought all week!

    Don’t forget to check out their Fall Ball, Y’all event taking place on Saturday, September 30th from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. so you, too, can see what the Nashville Farmer’s Market has to offer.

    Until next time… Thanks for reading!

    MCL Top 5: Theories of What’s in Zeppos Tower 

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    One of Vanderbilt’s main campus landmarks is the recently constructed Zeppos Tower. 

    Photo credit: Micah Mayborn

    Located on the corner of West End Avenue and 25th Avenue South, this 20-story brick monolith has stirred my imagination. What could possibly be inside this Tower of Sauron (Barad-dûr ) looking wannabe? A quick google search will yield the answer that it houses some fancy suites and nice meeting rooms, but who among us has actually been inside, and especially to the top? 

    I was able to talk to some of MCL’s readers and collect some thoughts. I heard quite the range of amazing theories, such as: the ever-elusive McRib, the poster from Now Is Not the Time to Panic, the Holy Grail – the list goes on. But there were some theories that stood out. Some simply made more sense and tower-ed above others. Here are the Top 5 theories of what’s in Zeppos Tower. 

    5. The Recipe for Rand Cookies

    Cookies coquins | Vegan cookies. Recipe >> auvertaveclili.fr… | Flickr

    Starting off our list is the legendary Rand cookie. This is one of if not the most delicious post-meal entities that can possibly be consumed (given that it’s fresh out of the oven, cough cough). Reminiscent of the Krabby Patty Formula, I feel like a giant brick tower would be a great place to hide this precious secret from the world. I’d personally love to know how to make them solely so I can flex a newly acquired skill on friends and family back home. 

    4. An 8 Bedroom Suite

    Realistically speaking, if you wanted to impress a notable visiting guest you’d probably put them up in Hank. But a luxurious castle of a room would probably suffice too. Enough said. 

    3. Cornelius Vanderbilt’s Cryogenically Frozen Head

    WHERE ELSE WOULD YOU PUT IT? Think about it, people. This old rich guy probably went (some of) the way of Captain America and Han Solo and wanted to chill out for a little. Give it another 150 years and the founder will be calling the shots once again from his brick-laden fortress. Walt Disney wishes he had this guy’s immortality resources. 

    2. The Ark of the Covenant

    This legendary artifact probably belongs in a museum. However, the second best option would definitely be (at the very least) at the tippy-top of a tower in the middle of Nashville. How it would have made its way to the Music City would certainly be an epic tale worthy of a movie. 

    1. A Portal to the Honor Council of Earth-2095 

    Rounding out the Top 5 is this theory that oddly makes just enough sense to possibly be true. Where else would something like this be kept? Only at the very top of the winding staircase that I imagine exists somewhere in the depths of the building that looms over the bookstore and that one Chili’s. I’ve heard that this particular multiversal honor council also holds the recipe for Rand cookies. 

    In case you couldn’t tell, this article was a top 5 plea to let me explore inside Zeppos Tower. If anybody knows how to make that happen, please let me know – I’ll be sure to document my findings.

    The Everything Randwich – Hit or Myth?

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    Before even arriving on campus, I’m sure many of us heard rumors and rumblings of the iconic Randwich. Was it overhyped? Would it blow your mind? (Perhaps most importantly) Did it fully satisfy your lunch needs? The swirling legend that surrounded the customizable midday creation was one of tumultuous debate. I knew that as soon as I got to Nashville, priority number one had to be none other than the Randwich. After arriving, I soon sided with the correct side of history; i.e. that it did indeed live up to the hype. Over the course of the next few lunches, I tried more combinations, more flavors, but just like Ariel from The Little Mermaid, the Roman Empire, and Kylo Ren, I wanted more. And then the idea struck me. The Everything Randwich. I didn’t know if it had been done before – if that threshold had been crossed – but I knew that I must take up the quest. I spent several days twisting and turning this idea over and over in my head. What if it simply couldn’t be done? I wondered. What if this mission ruins the Randwich for me forever? I simply didn’t know if the sandwich gods would allow such a thing to come into existence. At first I was apprehensive, but as the days passed I steeled both my mind and courage. I awoke on Friday, September the 1st with determination in my heart and a need for wheat in my stomach. I had some nerves bubbling within me as I walked to Rand that day, not knowing what lunchtime would hold. Before I knew it I was once again standing in front of the famed dining hall, ready to fling open the door to glory.

    I approached the counter with slight trepidation, the moment approaching faster and faster with each stride. I noticed the line was shorter than usual, with there being no more than three people in front of me. When I arrived at the front of the line, my order started off as any other would: “What kind of bread would you like?” 

    At any other time I would have immediately responded, but this was no ordinary order. I paused for a second. “Wheat, please.”

    Now for the second element. “Which meat?”

    Again I paused. “Can I get one of everything?”

    The Dining Services person on the other side of the glass offered no objection. I inwardly breathed a sigh of relief as turkey, ham, roast beef, and salami became the first layer to the sandwich. I then asked for one of each cheese, to which a slight look of perplexion was given. I smiled nervously, unsure if this would obstruct my mission; but soon provolone, swiss, American and cheddar had been piled on. As I watched the first half of my requested creation slide into the toaster, I soon began wondering if I had made a grave mistake. But it was then at this moment that a quote from Pirates of the Caribbean popped into my head: “Full-bore and into the abyss.” I knew it was too late to back out now. 

    When my Randwich emerged from its heating chamber, it was beautiful. Four different cheeses all melting and oozing simultaneously down over a glorious mismatch of meats. Now for the toppings. This is where the fun begins. I was asked, “What toppings can I get for you on here?”

    Again I asked for everything, and I watched as lettuce, tomato, onion, spinach, yellow peppers, jalapeno peppers, carrots, black olives and mayo were all placed on top of the already divine creation. It should be noted that both hummus and chicken salad were excluded as I feared for the structural integrity of the previous cargo that was my Randwich. It felt as if the Infinity Gauntlet was being assembled before my very eyes. An object made of not only unimaginable power, but of a variety of flavors as well.  

    The sandwich had been completed. The die had been cast. It was now time to grab a Rand cookie and find an empty table. I made sure to find a corner table so as to best avoid detection and distraction. The first bite of the Everything Randwich was upon me. The moment was here at last. I brought it to my mouth and simply experienced. So many flavors rushed at me all at once that it was hard to make sense of it all. Everything that had come before had simply been a juxtaposition to this very lunch. All of the meats, all of the cheeses, everything full-on flooded my taste buds. It. Was. Delicious. I took my second bite. Then a third. Before I realized, I had eaten the first half and started on the second. I continued to live within my own Randwich-centric world for the next five minutes as I finished. Note: I will say that despite its numerous glorious qualities, black olives absolutely do not mix with pickles and salami. I was unlucky enough to get a few bites that had this mixture, and let me tell you, if you can tolerate or even somehow enjoy such a combination of flavors and textures simultaneously, I salute you. 

    As I completed my lunch and got ready to pack my things, I considered how this very article would end. I considered the (now seemingly silly) nerves I had had about ordering such a thing. At the end of the day, it was literally just a sandwich. But it had been something that I didn’t know the ending to. If there’s something out there that you feel the same way about, just go for it. It could be something small and dumb like just a sandwich at a college dining hall, or it could be skydiving strapped to a shark with no parachute. It might just end up being the best lunch ever.

    Shrimp Ceviche Recipe

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    When you’re hungry and want to make something fresh on your own, it’s important to have solid, reliable recipes. As a personal seafood lover, I really appreciate this recipe, which was graciously shared with me by a previous geography teacher. The best thing about this meal is that if you’re wary about eating totally uncooked seafood, the recipe calls for cooking the meat while still preserving the characteristic taste of ceviche. I really hope you like it!


    Ingredients:
    1 large red onion
    3-4 tomatoes
    cilantro
    1 lb of shrimp (jumbo, uncooked, with tails)
    5-7 limes
    1-2 lemons
    salt & white pepper

    Step 1:
    Cut the red onion into Julienne slices
    Using a pan, heat water on a stove until warm (not boiling)
    Place onions in warm water for approx. 2 minutes to blanche
    Remove from water and set aside in a bowl
    Discard that water


    Step 2:
    Fill pan with water and heat until warm (not boiling)
    Cook shrimp w/ the tails on until they turn lightly pink (NOTE: if your shrimp is not deveined, be sure to devein them before this step)
    Pull shrimp from pan and place over ice to halt the cooking process
    DO NOT discard this water – keep it warm on the stove

    Step 3:
    While the shrimp is cooling cut the tomatoes into quarters
    Discard any interior of the tomato that is too watery
    Cut quarters into smaller chunks
    Add tomatoes to the aforementioned bowl of onion slices
    Add salt and pepper to taste


    Step 4:
    When the shrimp is cooled, pull the tails off and place them into the warm water on the stove
    Cut shrimp into smaller pieces and add to the bowl of tomatoes and onions
    Add several tablespoons of the warm water from the pan with the tails (you may include the tails to enhance the flavor)


    Step 5:
    Cut lemons and limes in half
    Squeeze all lemons and limes into the bowl w/ the shrimp, tomatoes, and onions
    Cut up cilantro and add to bowl to taste
    Add more salt and pepper to taste (add more shrimp juice if necessary)


    Step 6:
    Mix together well, cover, and refrigerate
    Enjoy! This dish should keep for about one week.

    Extra:
    A very small (fingernail size) amount of ketchup can be added for color
    A small amount of hot sauce may be added for taste